In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our ears frequently shoulder the burden of neglect and accidental harm. There are some common but hazardous practices, like making use of cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health at risk. Below, we delve into four essential ways to safeguard your sense of hearing and keep your ears healthy.
Ear candling is a no-no
Ear candling, an ancient technique purported to extract earwax and promote ear health, has gained popularity despite lacking scientific merit. It’s believed that a vacuum is produced when a hollow ear candle is inserted into your ear canal and the wick at the other end is lit supposedly drawing impurities out. However, numerous studies have debunked this practice, showcasing its ineffectiveness and potential risks.
Not only does ear candling fail to clear away earwax effectively, but it also poses significant risks. Burns to the sensitive ear structures, perforated eardrums, and exacerbation of existing issues can all be consequences of this practice. Usually, if you see any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
In light of these findings, medical professionals always warn against the use of ear candling. There are safer methods of cleaning your ears than cotton swabs and the FDA and the Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against using them.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of individuals turn to these apparently innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. But there are more risks than benefits to inserting a cotton swab into your ear canal. Rather than effectively removing earwax, swabs can accidentally jam wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to impaction and potential injury.
The fragile nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can occur, leading to pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to obtain professional help if necessary or otherwise rely on your ear’s self-cleaning ability rather than putting any object in the ear.
Be mindful of the volume: safeguard against loud noise
It’s a noisy world we live in and our ears are constantly being assaulted by noises of all different volumes. Exposure to loud noise is unavoidable, from attending sporting events and concerts to walking down noisy city streets to mowing your lawn. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have negative effects on your hearing health resulting in tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s essential to use hearing protection and, if you can, avoid overly loud settings in order to avoid damage. Whenever you can’t steer clear of extremely loud noise, protection like earplugs and earmuffs should be used.
Also, take regular breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
If you notice any symptoms, act quickly
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some degree of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from harm. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, including hearing aids, delaying intervention can exacerbate hearing loss and complicate treatment.
It is crucial to recognize common signs of hearing loss, such as difficulty understanding speech, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears. Make an appointment with us as soon as possible if you encounter any of these symptoms. Your hearing outcomes as well as your quality of life will be substantially enhanced by early detection and intervention.
Your ability to successfully navigate the landscape of your life depends on you keeping your hearing as healthy as possible. We can maintain our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, protecting our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
If you suspect that you may be experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, call us today for an appointment.